Experiences of drug adherence by HIV infected adolescents in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study articulates the lived experiences regarding drug adherence by adolescents in Zimbabwe. The study was conducted in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe to aid understanding the experiences the adolescents go through as they try to live as normal a life as possible despite them having the most stigmatised condition in the country in particular and the world at large. A phenomenological inquiry was undertaken using Wertz’s (1983, 2005, 2011) empirical psychological reflection approach for data analysis, after utilizing purposive, convenience and criterion sampling techniques to select thirteen (13) adolescents who were on ART and were in good health and also willing to take part in the study. Data were generated using in-depth qualitative interviews and the interviews continued until data redundancy was reached. The interview proceedings were digitally audio-recorded in addition to taking field notes and these were transcribed verbatim. Data analysis occurred at idiographic and nomothetic levels according to the principles of Wertz’s empirical psychological reflection. Thematic analysis of the research data revealed six (6) themes namely:  Treatment fatigue.  Delay in getting to know own HIV status.  Stigma  Disability (visual impairment).  Lack of support.  Religious beliefs (church). Wholeness emerged as the single most encompassing and accommodating concept that united the various themes and categories. It further grounded adolescents’ experiences regarding drug adherence and coping with challenges associated with HIV. The findings add substantial knowledge about how adolescents experience drug adherence. Important recommendations are made and guidelines that may be used to increase adolescents’ resilience to challenges of being HIV infected are suggested.